RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — A delegation of 15 researchers and scientists from New Zealand will visit RTI International, June 25-26, as part of efforts to explore future partnerships between RTI and businesses in New Zealand.

The visitors include representatives from several universities, research institutes, private sector companies as well as several New Zealand government officials.

During the two-day visit to RTI's campus, the delegation will meet with members of RTI's senior management team, tour several lab facilities and attend workshops to learn about RTI's international partnerships and the institute's approach to commercialization of successful research.

In an effort to promote scientific discourse between the two groups, RTI researchers and the New Zealand representatives will host discussion panels on a variety of research topics including biofuels, obesity and human biotechnology.

Other local organizations, companies and universities, including the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Research Triangle Park, Syngenta and the Council for Entrepreneurial Development, will be participating in the visit.

"RTI has long been interested in strengthening our ties to this part of the world," said Jennie Hunter-Cevera, executive vice president of Discovery and Analytical Sciences, Government Affairs, and Corporate Development at RTI. "We hope this visit will help lay the groundwork for long-term collaborations with public and private companies, universities and other research organizations in New Zealand."

RTI, which has ongoing projects in more than 40 countries around the world, is specifically looking for collaborative research partnerships, joint IP development opportunities and commercial partnerships with New Zealand.

The group includes representatives from diverse research fields including neurotoxicology, forensic toxicology, food and nutrition science, coastal freshwater management, and biotechnology.

The visit will also provide opportunities to assess partnership goals begun when a team from RTI visited New Zealand earlier this year.

Following their visit with RTI officials, the delegation will spend a day visiting area universities.